Fireproof Games’ The Room is the best original Android game that I have played. There, I’ve said it.

What is The Room? It’s a puzzle adventure game you play on a touch screen.

In The Room, there’s only one thing in the room: A large, intricate box. Your job? Open it.

Sounds simple, but trust me, it’s not. This is one crazy, multi-level box.

This lovely game hearkens back to the best puzzle adventures of what I call The Late Golden Age of Games, that era between the success of Myst and the early 2000s, when adventures really began to struggle in the marketplace.

If you fondly recall such memorable games as Jewels of the Oracle and Safecracker, you’ll be excited to play this game. While the action of the game may sound limited – OPEN THE BOX!! – there’s actually a terrific series of puzzles, and even a haunting story that’s gradually revealed.

GAMEPLAY

The interface works beautifully. To focus in on a particular area of the box, you use the same two-finger flick that you’d use to make an image larger on an iPad. If you do that on an interactive spot of the box, the view will zoom in. You can then use the touch screen to manipulate the box: You’ll spin dials, turn knobs, find and read notes, push and pull doors and rods, and all manner of fun fiddling.

In order to solve the many puzzles the box presents, you’ve got to experiment. You’ve also got to pay attention to symbols and patterns. In other words, it’s utterly classic puzzle adventure gaming.

Add to this the fact that the graphics are beautiful. The construction and design of the box is intricate and fascinating and so real-looking it’s difficult to put the game down.

It’s even got beautiful music!

FINAL THOUGHTS

The game is only a couple of hours long, but it’s a sweet, satisfying experience. And of course, the sequel is coming soon!

The game is available for iOS, Android, even the Kindle Fire. Check out the screenshots. What are you waiting for?